American Heart Association to honor volunteers

The American Heart Associations 2013 Heroes of Heart reception will honor several area residents today for their efforts in creating awareness for the agency.

An invitation-only celebration will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Samaritan Summit Village, 22691 Summit Drive, to recognize people for their volunteer efforts and for being a survivor of heart problems, and to recognize sponsors who help make the North Country Heart Walk possible.

All of these people dedicate so much of their time to the American Heart Association, said Kristy Smorol, American Heart Association communications director. This really is all about saying, thank you.

North Country Heart Walk Chairman Thomas H. Carman, president and chief executive officer of Samaritan Medical Center, will be recognized along with several other people and businesses that contributed toward raising about $215,000 from this years walk. The top fundraising team was Samaritan, at $21,414, and the top community team was the Newman Family, which raised $14,510.

A Friend of Heart Volunteer Award recipient will not be announced until tonight, but the following already know they will receive recognition:

nBrody Beckwith and Donna Kinney, who will receive the Inspirational Honoree Award. Ms. Smorol said Mrs. Kinney got her blood pressure checked at a heart walk, and it ended up saving her life. Brody, 3, was in congestive heart failure and has had surgery. He will be scheduled for another operation before he enters kindergarten.

n Jill Edwards, who will receive the Lifestyle Change Award for having made significant positive changes in life.

The reception is sponsored by Overhead Door and Truesdells Furniture.

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